romantic getawayw SIMPLY UNPLUGGED

Romance and relationships are universal components of being human and, as such, connections and time spent with others become foundational elements of humanity. In this online age, however, there tends to be a high quantity of electronic connections that fill our everyday moments, but a shrinking amount of meaningful physical contact and shared experiences with others. Instant messaging, texting, Facebook likes, etc. have allowed us to adopt a pattern of communication that requires minimal effort and has reduced the amount of face to face sharing of space that has historically been interwoven into the functioning of societies. As well, the average social-media user can oft find themselves craving a break from the chronic ticker tape of electronic data inundating their senses.

After connecting with a Costco-based travel agency and with certain parameters in mind — including a romantic, warm and sunny destination — a weeklong trip was booked for the Cook Islands in the South Pacific, and after a twelve hour flight via Air New Zealand the Nashes arrived at the main island of Rarotonga.

After connecting with a Costco-based travel agency and with certain parameters in mind — including wanting a romantic, warm and sunny destination — a weeklong trip was booked for the Cook Islands of the South Pacific, and after a twelve hour flight via Air New Zealand the Nashes arrived at the main island of Rarotonga.

Ben and Annie spent the first few days upon arrival acclimating to the change of temperature and climate, as well as the markedly slower pace of life on the island. Unencumbered by the distraction of modern technology (the

Nashes’ villa was sans Wi-Fi and cable television and their cell phones had no service), Ben and Annie soon “found an escape from everyday life” and were able to “slow down and marvel at the beauty of creation.” With temperatures hovering in the 80s they soon found themselves enjoying a new routine, including starting each morning with a breakfast platter of fresh local fruits, basking in a nearby lagoon and exploring the markets of Rarotonga.

Though the intention of their trip was to celebrate their honeymoon, Ben and Annie also realized that traveling together encouraged “a different level of intimacy,” as they became reliant on one another for navigating their way through a new country and culture. Though the first few days proved challenging in learning to “unplug and not worry about the normal distractions in life,” the Nashes soon immersed themselves in “enjoying the here and now” and found themselves engaging with the kind and warm locals, having unforeseen adventures in trying to pass the island’s driving test, enjoying the “best fish sandwiches of their lives” and marvelling at the beauty around them.

Though becoming unplugged from their regular routines and demands of their lives took some adjusting, being surrounded by the brilliant blue oceans, lush jungles and towering mountains of the Cook Islands brought an unparalleled visual splendour to the Nashes' honeymoon and has planted the seeds for a possible return trip in the future. For further information about the Cook Islands as a possible romantic destination, please visit ben-nash.com [ aw ]

The homeowners, who relocated to Fargo from the Twin Cities with their daughter, fell for the home’s spacious backyard and loved the neighborhood’s quiet streets and convenient location. But the house itself just wasn’t quite right. Its somber color scheme was uninspiring. They weren’t wild about most of the finishes. And there were functional challenges too, small things like closets with blocked doors and hardly any storage space to larger issues like awkward layouts that made large rooms feel cramped.

The changes required went beyond a simple DIY fix or a weekend project. So instead of sacrificing the location they loved or simply adjusting to the features and finishes that were already in place, the couple enlisted the help of Dan Lindquist Construction, Inc., Ami Baxter Interior Design, Wood Specialists Inc. and a team of home improvement experts to help them reimagine the space. >

Some improvements were merely cosmetic, like replacing traditional wood spindles with a wrought iron banister, switching out light fixtures and adding dark, rich, hand-scraped wood flooring throughout the two level home. Others required a little more elbow grease.

Lindquist made several layout adjustments to enable the space to function more effectively for the family. The fireplace on the first floor had been set at an angle, in order to separate the living room and kitchen. Installing a shallower fireplace from Home & Hearth flat against a wall opened up the room, allowed better traffic flow between the two zones and evoked a feeling of warmth and coziness without sacrificing living space.

The gracious kitchen was tweaked to create a more functional workspace. The old kitchen countertops were angled (a feature that had always bothered the man of the house) so Wood Specialists Inc. squared them off and added new base cabinets to increase both storage and counter space. The company also installed a multitasking kitchen island with smart extras, like a composting bin and additional handy storage spots tucked away inside.

The too-skinny pendant lights were removed and replaced with light fixtures that complimented the space. The existing cabinets were custom glazed in a striking and unexpectedly complex hue that reflects and magnifies the natural light from the windows that open up to the backyard. “We just wanted to lighten up the space,” says Lindquist. “It was really dark in here before.”

A combination mudroom and laundry room got a simple facelift that made it look much larger. Lindquist removed a deep closet and replaced it with an open shelving system that offers plenty of storage and allows the eye to sweep through the space. “Now we have an extra two and a half feet of depth without really changing the dimensions of the room,” Lindquist says.

The house’s formal dining room is a quietly arresting space, with a dramatic chandelier and rich, lush wallpaper. Designer Ami Baxter worked with the family to choose a soft and soothing color palette that draws on hues found in nature, from sea foam green and bone to rich, dark wood and slate gray.

Downstairs, mom got a cozy office, and French doors create a fun craft space for the couple’s artistic daughter. Both the color scheme and the sense of drama deepen in the deluxe theater room, the lower level gathering place for parties and family movie night. Masculine elements like comfortable leather chairs combine with elegantly feminine patterned wallpaper, ornate sconces and dramatic curtains.

Despite a major renovation that affected nearly every square foot of the house, the family was able to remain in their home during the entire renovation process. They had to get a little creative with the cooking during the kitchen remodel (ordering out, using disposable plates and utensils, and eating in the garage when necessary), but their experience proves that, with patience, ingenuity and the right team of experts, you can make the home of your dreams out of the home that you have.